Autolacing footwear having an elongate spool

ABSTRACT

An article of footwear and related method includes a midsole, an upper secured with respect to the midsole and forming a throat, and a plurality of laces extending across the throat of the upper. A motorized lacing system is positioned within the midsole and is configured to engage with a primary lace to increase and decrease tension on the primary lace. The motorized lacing system includes a motor, a lace spool, operatively coupled to the motor, configured to spool and unspool the primary lace based, and an elongate spool, the primary lace coupled to the elongate spool, configured to spool and unspool the plurality of laces based on operation of the motor and via the primary lace, each of the plurality of laces spaced along the elongate spool from one another.

PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 62/725,672, filed Aug. 31, 2018, the content ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to an article offootwear having an autolacing motor and a tubular spool member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation inthe figures of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view illustration of components of a motorizedlacing system for an article of footwear, in an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates generally a block diagram of components of amotorized lacing system, in an example embodiment.

FIGS. 3A-3C are perspective, side, and top views, respectively, of anarticle of footwear incorporating the motorized lacing system andelongate spools, in an example embodiment.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are detailed views of the plurality of laces unwound andwound around an elongate spool, in an example embodiment.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are a depiction of an article of footwear havingelongate spools that are flexible, in an example embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a depiction of an article of footwear having an elongate spoolthat has multiple discrete diameters, in an example embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a depiction of an article of footwear having an elongate spoolthat has multiple diameters, in an example embodiment.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate top and side views, respectively, of anarticle of footwear with a single elongate spool, in an exampleembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example methods and systems are directed to an article of footwearhaving an autolacing motor and a tubular spool member. Examples merelytypify possible variations. Unless explicitly stated otherwise,components and functions are optional and may be combined or subdivided,and operations may vary in sequence or be combined or subdivided. In thefollowing description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specificdetails are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of exampleembodiments. It will be evident to one skilled in the art, however, thatthe present subject matter may be practiced without these specificdetails.

Articles of footwear, such as shoes, may include a variety ofcomponents, both conventional and unconventional. Conventionalcomponents may include an upper, a sole, and laces or other securingmechanisms to enclose and secure the foot of a wearer within the articleof footwear. Unconventionally, a motorized lacing system may engage withthe lace to tighten and/or loosen the lace. Additional or alternativeelectronics may provide a variety of functionality for the article offootwear, including operating and driving the motor, sensing informationabout the nature of the article of footwear, providing lighted displaysand/or other sensory stimuli, and so forth.

In general, and particularly for articles of footwear oriented towardthe performance of athletic activities, characteristics such as thesize, form, robustness, and weight of the article of footwear may be ofparticular importance. The capacity to firmly secure the article offootwear to the foot by way of tightening a lace, laces, or othertension members may further enhance wearability, comfort, andperformance. Providing adequate tightness across a desired range of theupper of a footwear may be a particular challenge of autolacing footwearand footwear in general.

Autolacing footwear has been developed that seeks to distribute thetension on laces through the use of an elongate spool. The elongatespool may be tubular, conical, have stepped portions, or be any othersuitable shape. The elongate spool may be positioned outside of a lacingengine but be connected between the lacing engine and laces that engagewith an upper to tighten the upper and secure the article of footwear toa foot of a wearer. The result may be an even, desired tension placed onone or more laces and an even distribution of tension across the upper.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view illustration of components of a motorizedlacing system for an article of footwear, in an example embodiment.While the system is described with respect to the article of footwear,it is to be recognized and understood that the principles described withrespect to the article of footwear apply equally well to any of avariety of wearable articles. The motorized lacing system 100illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a lacing engine 102 having a housingstructure 103, a lid 104, an actuator 106, a mid-sole plate 108, amid-sole 110, and an outsole 112. FIG. 1 illustrates the basic assemblysequence of components of an automated lacing footwear platform. Themotorized lacing system 100 starts with the mid-sole plate 108 beingsecured within the mid-sole. Next, the actuator 106 is inserted into anopening in the lateral side of the mid-sole plate opposite to interfacebuttons that can be embedded in the outsole 112. Next, the lacing engine102 is dropped into the mid-sole plate 108. In an example, the lacingsystem 100 is inserted under a continuous loop of lacing cable and thelacing cable is aligned with a spool in the lacing engine 102 (discussedbelow). Finally, the lid 104 is inserted into grooves in the mid-soleplate 108, secured into a closed position, and latched into a recess inthe mid-sole plate 108. The lid 104 can capture the lacing engine 102and can assist in maintaining alignment of a lacing cable duringoperation. A lace spool 220 (see FIG. 2) is under the lid 104.

FIG. 2 illustrates generally a block diagram of components of amotorized lacing system 100, in an example embodiment. The system 100includes some, but not necessarily all, components of a motorized lacingsystem such as including interface buttons 200, a foot presence sensor202, and the lacing engine housing 102 enclosing a printed circuit boardassembly (PCA) with a processor circuit 204, a battery 206, a receivecoil 208, an optical encoder 210, a motion sensor 212, and a drivemechanism 214. The optical encoder 210 may include an optical sensor andan encoder having distinct portions independently detectable by theoptical sensor. The drive mechanism 214 can include, among other things,a motor 216, a transmission 218, and a lace spool 220. The motion sensor212 can include, among other things, a single or multiple axisaccelerometer, a magnetometer, a gyrometer, or other sensor or deviceconfigured to sense motion of the housing structure 102, or of one ormore components within or coupled to the housing structure 102. In anexample, the motorized lacing system 100 includes a magnetometer 222coupled to the processor circuit 204.

In the example of FIG. 2, the processor circuit 204 is in data or powersignal communication with one or more of the interface buttons 200, footpresence sensor 202, battery 206, receive coil 208, and drive mechanism214. The transmission 218 couples the motor 216 to a spool to form thedrive mechanism 214. In the example of FIG. 2, the buttons 200, footpresence sensor 202, and environment sensor 224 are shown outside of, orpartially outside of, the lacing engine 102.

In an example, the receive coil 208 is positioned on or inside of thehousing 103 of the lacing engine 102. In various examples, the receivecoil 208 is positioned on an outside major surface, e.g., a top orbottom surface, of the housing 103 and, in a specific example, thebottom surface. In various examples, the receive coil 208 is a qicharging coil, though any suitable coil, such as an A4WP charging coil,may be utilized instead.

In an example, the processor circuit 204 controls one or more aspects ofthe drive mechanism 214. For example, the processor circuit 204 can beconfigured to receive information from the buttons 200 and/or from thefoot presence sensor 202 and/or from the motion sensor 212 and, inresponse, control the drive mechanism 214, such as to tighten or loosenfootwear about a foot. In an example, the processor circuit 204 isadditionally or alternatively configured to issue commands to obtain orrecord sensor information, from the foot presence sensor 202 or othersensor, among other functions. In an example, the processor circuit 204conditions operation of the drive mechanism 214 on (1) detecting a footpresence using the foot presence sensor 202 and (2) detecting aspecified gesture using the motion sensor 212.

Information from the environment sensor 224 can be used to update oradjust a baseline or reference value for the foot presence sensor 202.As further explained below, capacitance values measured by a capacitivefoot presence sensor can vary over time, such as in response to ambientconditions near the sensor. Using information from the environmentsensor 224, the processor circuit 204 and/or the foot presence sensor202 can update or adjust a measured or sensed capacitance value.

FIGS. 3A-3C are perspective, side, and top views, respectively, of anarticle of footwear 300 incorporating the motorized lacing system 100and elongate spools 302, in an example embodiment. The elongate spools302 are coupled to the lace spool 220 via a primary lace 304, which issecured at each end to the elongate spools 302. The elongate spools 302are mounted within the article of footwear 300 such that they may rotatefreely about their major axis 303.

A plurality of laces 306 are spaced along each of the elongate spools302. Each one of the plurality of laces 306 has a first end 308 securedto one of the elongate spools 302 and a second end 310 secured to theother one of the elongate spools 302, causing each of the plurality oflaces to extend across a throat section 312 of an upper 314 of thearticle of footwear 300. In various examples, the first and second ends308, 310 of each of the plurality of laces 306 are secured in part bybeing wound about the respective elongate spool 302 and in part by beingfastened, glued, inserted into, or otherwise affixed to or within theelongate spool 302.

To tighten the plurality of laces 306, the motor 216 (FIG. 2) operatesand causes the lace spool 220 to turn, applying tension on the primarylace 304. The tension on the primary lace 304 thereby producesrotational force on the elongate spools 302, causing the elongate spools302 to rotate along their respective major axis 303. As the elongatespools 302 rotate, tension is placed on each of the plurality of laces306, causing the plurality of laces 306 to tighten over the throat 312.

To loosen the plurality of laces 306, the motor 216 operates and causesthe lace spool 220 to turn in an opposite direction from the directionthe lace spool 216 turned to tighten the plurality of laces 306. Theprimary lace 304 then becomes slack, allowing the elongate spools 302 torotate in the opposite direction along their respective major axis 303as from the tightening the plurality of laces 306, thereby allowing theplurality of laces 306 to go slack. As a wearer removes their foot fromthe article of footwear 300 or a force is otherwise imposed on theplurality of laces 306, e.g., by applying a force to a tongue of thearticle of footwear 300 or by directly manipulating the plurality oflaces 306, the plurality of laces 306 may become more slack, creating alarger opening to remove the foot of the wearer.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are detailed views of the plurality of laces 306 unwoundand wound around an elongate spool 302, in an example embodiment. InFIG. 4A, the plurality of laces 306 are substantially unwound, eachsecured to the elongate spool 302 at their respective first ends 308. Asthe motor 216 operates and turns the lace spool 220, the rotationalforce imparted on the elongate spool 302 causes each of the plurality oflaces 306 to wind around the elongate spool 302, as depicted in FIG. 4B.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are a depiction of an article of footwear 500 havingelongate spools 502 that are flexible, in an example embodiment. Thearticle of footwear 500 and the elongate spools 502 may otherwise be andoperate the same as the article of footwear 300 and elongate spools 302.However, in contrast to the elongate spools 302, which may be made of arigid and/or inflexible material, such as plastic, metal, and so forth,the elongate spools 502 may be made of a flexible material, such asrubber, or of a material, such as metal, configured to flex or otherwisebend during operation. In so doing, the elongate spools 502 may conformto contours of the article of footwear 500. As depicted, the elongatespools 502 may substantially follow a medial curve 504 and lateral curve506 of the midsole 508 of the article of footwear 500.

FIG. 6 is a depiction of an article of footwear 600 having an elongatespool 602 that has multiple discrete diameters, in an exampleembodiment. The article of footwear 600 and the elongate spool 602 mayotherwise be and operate the same as the article of footwear 300 andelongate spools 302. However, the elongate spool 602 includes aplurality of segments 604, 606, 608, each of the plurality of segments604, 606, 608 being discrete segments having a different diameter thanthe other, with changes in the diameter of the plurality of segments604, 606, 608 being abrupt between each segment. As illustrated, thesegment 604 has a larger diameter than the segment 606, which has alarger diameter than the segment 608. Each one of the plurality of laces610 is secured to one of the plurality of segments 604, 606, 608. In theillustrated example, each one of the plurality of segments 604, 606, 608corresponds to only one of the plurality of laces 610.

Because the elongate spool 602 turns at a constant rate about the majoraxis 603, each one of the plurality of laces 610 has a different amountof travel owning to the corresponding different in diameter in thecorresponding one of the plurality of segments 604, 606, 608. Thus, thelace 610′, which is wound about the segment 604 having the largestdiameter, will have a larger amount of travel than the lace 610″ whichis wound about the segment 606 having a smaller diameter. In otherwords, one rotation of the elongate spool 602 winds or unwinds more ofthe lace 610′ than the lace 610″. As a result, the cinchingcharacteristics of each of the plurality of laces 610 may be customizedby selecting the diameter of each of the plurality of segments 604, 606,608.

FIG. 7 is a depiction of an article of footwear 700 having an elongatespool 702 that has multiple diameters, in an example embodiment. Thearticle of footwear 700 and the elongate spools 702 may otherwise be andoperate the same as the article of footwear 600 and elongate spools 602.However, rather than having discrete segments 604, 606, 608, theelongate spool 702 is conical and thus has a continuous change indiameter along the length of the elongate spool 702. As such, theelongate spool 702 has a plurality of segments 704, 706, 708corresponding to discrete locations at which the plurality of laces 710are individual positioned, but the plurality of segments 704, 706, 708are part of a continuous variation in the diameter of the elongate spool702.

Because each of the plurality of laces 710 winds around a length 712 ofthe elongate spool 702, the torque on each of the plurality of laces 710varies as the individual lace winds about the elongate spool 702. Thus,for instance, the lace 710′ starts at a first, greater-diameter location714 on the spool 702 but as the spool 702 turns gradually moves down thelength 712 to a second, lesser-diameter location 716. Because thediameter of the elongate spool 702 on which the lace 710′ is engaged isconstantly decreasing as the elongate spool 702 turns, the torqueimparted on the lace 710′ by the spool constantly decreases. Asillustrated, each of the plurality of laces 710 experiences the samedecrease in torque, potentially creating a relatively softer cinchingsensation on a wearer than may be the case if the torque does notdecrease as the plurality of laces 710 tighten.

The principles of the elongate spools 602, 702 may be combined in asingle spool. Thus, a single elongate spool may incorporate both conicalsections with gradual changes in diameter and discrete sectionsseparated by abrupt changes in diameter. The discrete sections maythemselves be conical, with an abrupt change between conical sections.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate top and side views, respectively, of anarticle of footwear 800 with a single elongate spool 802, in an exampleembodiment. The elongate spool 802 may be the same as any of theelongate spools disclosed herein, including the elongate spools 302,502, 602, 702, or may be any suitable configuration. As with theelongate spools 302, 502, 602, 702, a primary lace, not depicted, turnsthe elongate spool 802. As illustrated, the elongate spool 802 ispositioned generally along a centerline 804 of the article of footwear800, though it is to be recognized and understood that the elongatespool 802 may be positioned on either a medial side 806 or a lateralside 808 of the article of footwear 800.

As seen in the side view of FIG. 8B, the primary laces 810 are eachcoupled at both ends to the elongate spool 802. Each end of the primarylaces 810 is coupled to the elongate spool 802 so that the turning ofthe elongate spool 802 causes both ends of each of the primary laces 810to either spool about or unspool from the elongate spool 802. As such,the turning of the elongate spool 802 either causes the primary laces810 to tighten or loosen, dependent on the direction the elongate spool802 turns.

Throughout this specification, plural instances may implementcomponents, operations, or structures described as a single instance.Although individual operations of one or more methods are illustratedand described as separate operations, one or more of the individualoperations may be performed concurrently, and nothing requires that theoperations be performed in the order illustrated. Structures andfunctionality presented as separate components in example configurationsmay be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly,structures and functionality presented as a single component may beimplemented as separate components. These and other variations,modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of thesubject matter herein.

Certain embodiments are described herein as including logic or a numberof components, modules, or mechanisms. Modules may constitute eithersoftware modules (e.g., code embodied on a machine-readable medium or ina transmission signal) or hardware modules. A “hardware module” is atangible unit capable of performing certain operations and may beconfigured or arranged in a certain physical manner. In various exampleembodiments, one or more computer systems (e.g., a standalone computersystem, a client computer system, or a server computer system) or one ormore hardware modules of a computer system (e.g., a processor or a groupof processors) may be configured by software (e.g., an application orapplication portion) as a hardware module that operates to performcertain operations as described herein.

In some embodiments, a hardware module may be implemented mechanically,electronically, or any suitable combination thereof. For example, ahardware module may include dedicated circuitry or logic that ispermanently configured to perform certain operations. For example, ahardware module may be a special-purpose processor, such as a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA) or an ASIC. A hardware module may alsoinclude programmable logic or circuitry that is temporarily configuredby software to perform certain operations. For example, a hardwaremodule may include software encompassed within a general-purposeprocessor or other programmable processor. It will be appreciated thatthe decision to implement a hardware module mechanically, in dedicatedand permanently configured circuitry, or in temporarily configuredcircuitry (e.g., configured by software) may be driven by cost and timeconsiderations.

Accordingly, the phrase “hardware module” should be understood toencompass a tangible entity, be that an entity that is physicallyconstructed, permanently configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarilyconfigured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain manner or toperform certain operations described herein. As used herein,“hardware-implemented module” refers to a hardware module. Consideringembodiments in which hardware modules are temporarily configured (e.g.,programmed), each of the hardware modules need not be configured orinstantiated at any one instance in time. For example, where a hardwaremodule comprises a general-purpose processor configured by software tobecome a special-purpose processor, the general-purpose processor may beconfigured as respectively different special-purpose processors (e.g.,comprising different hardware modules) at different times. Software mayaccordingly configure a processor, for example, to constitute aparticular hardware module at one instance of time and to constitute adifferent hardware module at a different instance of time.

Hardware modules can provide information to, and receive informationfrom, other hardware modules. Accordingly, the described hardwaremodules may be regarded as being communicatively coupled. Where multiplehardware modules exist contemporaneously, communications may be achievedthrough signal transmission (e.g., over appropriate circuits and buses)between or among two or more of the hardware modules. In embodiments inwhich multiple hardware modules are configured or instantiated atdifferent times, communications between such hardware modules may beachieved, for example, through the storage and retrieval of informationin memory structures to which the multiple hardware modules have access.For example, one hardware module may perform an operation and store theoutput of that operation in a memory device to which it iscommunicatively coupled. A further hardware module may then, at a latertime, access the memory device to retrieve and process the storedoutput. Hardware modules may also initiate communications with input oroutput devices, and can operate on a resource (e.g., a collection ofinformation).

The various operations of example methods described herein may beperformed, at least partially, by one or more processors that aretemporarily configured (e.g., by software) or permanently configured toperform the relevant operations. Whether temporarily or permanentlyconfigured, such processors may constitute processor-implemented modulesthat operate to perform one or more operations or functions describedherein. As used herein, “processor-implemented module” refers to ahardware module implemented using one or more processors.

Similarly, the methods described herein may be at least partiallyprocessor-implemented, a processor being an example of hardware. Forexample, at least some of the operations of a method may be performed byone or more processors or processor-implemented modules. Moreover, theone or more processors may also operate to support performance of therelevant operations in a “cloud computing” environment or as a “softwareas a service” (SaaS). For example, at least some of the operations maybe performed by a group of computers (as examples of machines includingprocessors), with these operations being accessible via a network (e.g.,the Internet) and via one or more appropriate interfaces (e.g., anapplication program interface (API)).

The performance of certain of the operations may be distributed amongthe one or more processors, not only residing within a single machine,but deployed across a number of machines. In some example embodiments,the one or more processors or processor-implemented modules may belocated in a single geographic location (e.g., within a homeenvironment, an office environment, or a server farm). In other exampleembodiments, the one or more processors or processor-implemented modulesmay be distributed across a number of geographic locations.

Some portions of this specification are presented in terms of algorithmsor symbolic representations of operations on data stored as bits orbinary digital signals within a machine memory (e.g., a computermemory). These algorithms or symbolic representations are examples oftechniques used by those of ordinary skill in the data processing artsto convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. Asused herein, an “algorithm” is a self-consistent sequence of operationsor similar processing leading to a desired result. In this context,algorithms and operations involve physical manipulation of physicalquantities. Typically, but not necessarily, such quantities may take theform of electrical, magnetic, or optical signals capable of beingstored, accessed, transferred, combined, compared, or otherwisemanipulated by a machine. It is convenient at times, principally forreasons of common usage, to refer to such signals using words such as“data,” “content,” “bits,” “values,” “elements,” “symbols,”“characters,” “terms,” “numbers,” “numerals,” or the like. These words,however, are merely convenient labels and are to be associated withappropriate physical quantities.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, discussions herein using wordssuch as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,”“presenting,” “displaying,” or the like may refer to actions orprocesses of a machine (e.g., a computer) that manipulates or transformsdata represented as physical (e.g., electronic, magnetic, or optical)quantities within one or more memories (e.g., volatile memory,non-volatile memory, or any suitable combination thereof), registers, orother machine components that receive, store, transmit, or displayinformation. Furthermore, unless specifically stated otherwise, theterms “a” or “an” are herein used, as is common in patent documents, toinclude one or more than one instance. Finally, as used herein, theconjunction “or” refers to a non-exclusive “or,” unless specificallystated otherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. An article of footwear, comprising: a midsole; anupper secured with respect to the midsole and forming a throat; aplurality of laces extending across the throat of the upper; and amotorized lacing system positioned within the midsole, configured toengage with a primary lace to increase and decrease tension on theprimary lace, the motorized lacing system comprising: a motor; a lacespool, operatively coupled to the motor, configured to spool and unspoolthe primary lace based on an action of the motor; and an elongate spool,the primary lace coupled to the elongate spool, configured to spool andunspool the plurality of laces based on operation of the motor and viathe primary lace, each of the plurality of laces spaced along theelongate spool from one another.
 2. The article of footwear of claim 1,wherein the elongate spool has a circular cross section.
 3. The articleof footwear of claim 2, wherein the elongate spool has a plurality ofsegments, each of the plurality of segments having a different diameter,and wherein each of the plurality of laces correspond to one of theplurality of segments.
 4. The article of footwear of claim 3, whereinthe plurality of segments are discrete segments.
 5. The article offootwear of claim 3, wherein the elongate spool is conical.
 6. Thearticle of footwear of claim 3, wherein the plurality of laces havedifferent lengths.
 7. The article of footwear of claim 2, wherein theelongate spool is cylindrical.
 8. A method of making an article offootwear, comprising: securing a midsole with respect to an upper, theupper forming a throat; extending a plurality of laces across the throatof the upper; and positioning a motorized lacing system within themidsole, the motorized lacing system configured to engage with a primarylace to increase and decrease tension on the primary lace, the motorizedlacing system comprising: a motor; a lace spool, operatively coupled tothe motor, configured to spool and unspool the primary lace based on anaction of the motor; and an elongate spool, the primary lace coupled tothe elongate spool, configured to spool and unspool the plurality oflaces based on operation of the motor and via the primary lace, each ofthe plurality of laces spaced along the elongate spool from one another.9. The method of claim 8, wherein the elongate spool has a circularcross section.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the elongate spool hasa plurality of segments, each having a different diameter, and whereineach of the plurality of laces spool correspond to one of the pluralityof segments.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality ofsegments are discrete segments.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein theelongate spool is conical.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein theplurality of laces have different lengths.
 14. The method of claim 9,wherein the elongate spool is cylindrical.
 15. A motorized lacingsystem, comprising: a motor; a lace spool, operatively coupled to themotor, configured to spool and unspool a primary lace based on an actionof the motor to increase and decrease tension on the primary lace; andan elongate spool, the primary lace coupled to the elongate spool,configured to spool and unspool a plurality of laces different than theprimary lace based on operation of the motor and via the primary lace,each of the plurality of laces spaced along the elongate spool from oneanother.
 16. The motorized lacing system of claim 15, wherein theelongate spool has a circular cross section.
 17. The motorized lacingsystem of claim 16, wherein the elongate spool has a plurality ofsegments, each of the plurality of segments having a different diameter,and wherein each of the plurality of laces correspond to one of theplurality of segments.
 18. The motorized lacing system of claim 17,wherein the plurality of segments are discrete segments.
 19. Themotorized lacing system of claim 17, wherein the elongate spool isconical.
 20. The motorized lacing system of claim 17, wherein theplurality of laces have different lengths.